Do Not Get Stuck Before You Sell, 7 Tips to DIY Home Maintenance

October 13, 2016 |

If you are considering selling your home in the foreseeable future, it is a good idea to stay on top of home maintenance now, before you are hit with a hefty ‘to-do’ list later. It always seems that we never allow ourselves enough time to complete a task and it can be quite a headache to scramble to take care of everything before you put your home on the market.

Stay on top of your home maintenance needs – here are a few things to look out for:

Interior

Flooring – Wood floors are a major draw for buyers. If you have an older home, your floors may be quite scratched up. Consider refinishing your floors to improve the overall look and feel of the space. If you have old carpeting: remove it! If the kitchen or the bathrooms have any cracked tiles: replace them.

Windows – Do a deep clean of the window frames and panes, sand and paint any areas that could use rejuvenating. If you are not planning on staying in your home for more than a few years, it may not be worth replacing old windows. Replacements can get very pricey – consider replacing only if you are staying and can reap the rewards of saving on heating/cooling.

Appliances – Stay up to date on maintaining all the appliances in the household. Do not forget about things like exterior dryer vents, refrigerator vents and washing machine hoses.

Exterior

Exterior Painting– This may be something you have been putting on the backburner, but if you have a house that could use some attention (or a whole new paint job!) this is a project to consider when Spring arrives. When you are painting, remember that glossy surfaces must be sanded first. Use high quality latex paints that are on the glossier side as they are less porous and less inviting for mildew.

Mildew Cleaning– If you suspect you have mildew, place a few drops of bleach on the stain and wait a few minutes. If the stain lightens, then it is in fact mildew (dirt is unaffected by bleach). To remove mildew simply treat the surface with (1) part bleach and (3) parts water. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Roof – Asphalt is the most common roofing material and shingles typically last between 15-20 years. Like with a vehicle, getting your roof serviced regularly can increase lifespan -with proper maintenance, your roof can last several decades.

In order to check the state of your roof, it is safest to get a professional to take a look, or take a high resolution photo from the ground -do not climb the roof yourself if you are not experienced.

See if any roof shingles are missing or not lined up properly.

Check the valleys where different sections (sloped at different angles) meet. This is where leaves, pine needles, snow and water can collect.

Check for roof leaks by inspecting unfinished attics for sagging or blacklines.

Create a Home Maintenance Calendar

Know what needs to be checked/updated and how often: Here is a great Google Doc Checklist from The Art of Manliness to get you on your way. Keep records of what was fixed and when and if you are getting close to being ready to sell as this can be helpful to potential Buyers. Also, it is wise to hire a home inspector to come by and advise you on what improvements would be suggested prior to selling. If you are looking to get started on some maintenance projects now, here are some great tutorial videos for Fall fixes.

Ready to list? Have a few questions? Call me at 416-921-1112 to get all your questions answered.